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Fall Cool Season Vegetables That Thrive

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As the summer heat fades away and we start to feel the crisp air throughout the mornings, some may think (or feel!) that the gardening season is over.  However, the great news is that you can still plant vegetables in late August through November and is considered the BEST time to grow a garden!  If you missed out on spring planting entirely, now is your second chance to reap some yummy vegetable harvests this year. Here are some tips for Planting For Success This Fall: Cool Season Vegetables That Thrive!
  1. Cooler Weather Means Happier & Healthier Plants: The enhancement of cool season vegetables flavor and taste is increased in the cool season months, and the plants can easily withstand a freeze event with little or no damage to the foliage!
  2. Reduced Pest and Disease Pressure: Lets face it, we all have enough plant pest and disease problems to worry about throughout the warming Spring and Summer months. Our garden need (& rightly deserve a break) and as cooler and consistent temperatures persist, pest and disease population activity is decreased!

At Evergreen of Johnson City Garden Center, we stock a wide variety of cool season vegetable starter plants, seeds for germinating and harvesting, and ample amounts of soil amendments to set up your garden success for this fall season. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or planting your very first raised bed, our expert horticultural team is here to help you choose the right varieties for your space and season.

Amending Your Garden Bed

Before planting your fall crops, refresh the ground in which you are planting, and at Evergreen of Johnson City we have the “best of the best” nutrients to choose from! Turn the soil and mix in a good organic based fertilizer like Down To Earth Vegetable Food (4-4-4) – full of only natural and organic components like Fish, Bone, Alfalfa, and Feather Meal or Fertilome’s Gardeners Special (11-15-11) for more quick growing crops! And if your soil needs a little more soil condition, amend the soil with either humic acid or earthworm castings, both offered here at your local garden supply store.

Crops You Can Plant For A Fall Harvest

Since fall is a short growing season, don’t waste a moment of growing time – plan to start the installation about 6 – 8 weeks ahead of our average first frost date – which is typically arounf Labor Day Weekend in and around Johnson City, TN which is Zone 7.
Lettuce can be planted now. Try varieties such as traditional Romaine, tasty Buttercrunch, or Red Sails for a splash of color and flavor.

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions should go in the ground mid-August through September.  “Greens” can be planted now through September as well. This group includes lettuce, mustard, spinach, sevin top turnip and kale. Lastly, if you want a little fun project with you kids or grandchildren, try growing radishes this fall and enjoy pulling them out of the ground!

Remember, too, that in addition to the vegetables mentioned here, lots of herbs can be planted now as well!  Cilantro, fennel, chives, oregano, basil and more can all be planted now and ready to harvest in 4-6 weeks! Our greenhouses have a huge selections of herb plants to get you started.

Of course, you can continue to harvest some root crops like beets, purple top turnip and carrots on into winter. When cooler temps finally hit in October cover them with a 6- to 8-inch-deep layer of leaf mulch or pine needles mulch. As long as the ground doesn’t freeze, you’ll be able to dig and eat these roots for months to come!

Think Ahead for Garlic:

Finally, for the best garlic you have ever grown, plant them now for a spring harvest!  Put them in the ground later this month and let them spend the winter nestled under there.  Planting your garlic so far ahead will be well worth it when it comes to harvest the bulbs next year!

Give us a call at 423-282-3431 or stop by to find out more about implementing a Japanese Beetle prevention plan for next year. You can find these two products and other garden supplies at our Johnson City location – 511 Princeton Rd. Johnson City, TN 37601. 

Follow your local garden center of Johnson City, TN on Instagram and Facebook for more local know-how to have success in your garden and landscape!  

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